To Holmgard and Beyond! (The Varangian Way - Directors Cut - Turisas)

Member Name: alexela

Product:	The Varangian Way - Directors Cut - Turisas
Date:	23/06/09 (80 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Epic.

Disadvantages: None

Turisas coined the term 'Battle Metal' with their previous album of the same name and it quite aptly describes the music they play. Yes, it's metal, albeit with violins and accordions, but the lyrical themes are historical, with references to war, fights and battles. 'Battle Metal' was an excellent debut from Turisas, but 'The Varangian Way' takes what they started a whole step further, a stronger, better produced concept album that from the very first listen, I found a pleasure to listen to.

So as mentioned, this is a concept album, telling a fictional story of a group of 'Varangians' who travel down the East European river route to Constantinople, or in modern terms, from Finland down to Turkey.

Opening track, 'To Holmgard and Beyond' is a real belter of a track, a fist pounding anthem if you will as we start the journey off. Immediately we are bombarded with powerful sounds, numerous layers and full textures with a strong optimistic feel about it, as we tell the story of these men as they begin their journey. We lead into 'A Portage to the Unknown' opening with a chorus of male voices, singing about their journey, the merry tone of the opener has passed and instead we're left with a more despairing tone as things take a more difficult turn.

'Cursed be Iron' has a harsher tone, opening with crunchier, heavier guitars and screamed vocals, before a quick change to a simpler quieter tone of just the vocals telling the story over minimal accompaniment before we're back to the angrier chorus. 'Fields of Gold' picks up the pace again sounding altogether more powerful and lively, with lots of brass over the guitars.

'In the Court of Jarisleif' has a very different tone to the rest of the album, it really does have the feel of being in a medieval courtyard during some sort of celebration, with dancing and partying and a very quick lively pace. 'Five Hundred and One' is another heavy and fast paced track that picks up even further as it progresses and 'The Dnieper Rapids' a darker and angrier song, loud and fierce as said rapids.

Of course the real stand out track of the album is the final track 'Miklagard Overture' a truly epic and emotional track, rounding off the story nicely, contrasting quiet reflective moments, with full and powerful moments of achievement and fulfilment. Listening to this track it's a truly impressive work and sums up the album particularly well, the choirs, the brass, the strings; it just sounds fantastic and is without a doubt my favourite track on this album.

Also worth mentioning is the fact that if you pick up The Directors Cut version, you also get Turisas's cover of 'Rasputin' which is certainly quite amusing to hear, not to mention see - as you also have their video for the cover on the Bonus DVD.

Summary: Excellent second album from Turisas